We have detected that Javascript is not enabled in your browser. The dynamic nature of our site means that Javascript must be enabled to function properly.
Please read our terms and conditions for more information.

Resource summary

1.1 A state of armed conflict between
different countries or different groups
within a country

1.2 Causes

1.2.1 To defend their country

1.2.2 To defend beliefs, religion,
freedom and way of life

1.2.3 To defend an ally or
protect a weaker
country that was
unfairly attacked

1.2.4 To remove their
leader/government - civil war

1.2.5 To gain
land/territory
lost in previous
war

1.2.6 To gain wealth, power or important resources e.g oil

1.3 Effects

1.3.1 Individuals & communities affected

1.3.2 Takes lives of billions of
soldiers & civilians

1.3.3 Damage to economy

1.3.4 Destruction of infrastructure

1.3.5 Displaced & forced to
evacuate & leave their
homes

1.4 "You can make a war in a minute but peace takes a long time" - Karen
Armstrong

1.5 "Chritians should be peacemakers, not war
makers: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called sons of God" - Mathew 5:9

2 Just War

2.1 St Augustine of Hippo, writing in the fourth century,
thought that war could be justified in terms of
self-defence & St Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 74) outlined
the beginnings of the just war theory.

2.1.1 This affected:

2.1.1.1 When it might be just to go to war

2.1.1.2 How that war should be fought

2.2 The aim of the theory is to limit
warefare so that war only
happens when necessary

2.3 When is it just?

2.3.1 Must be last resort

2.3.2 Must be serious threat

2.3.3 Must be a chance of success

2.3.4 Weapons must be used proportionately

2.3.5 Decision must be made by legitimate authority

2.3.6 The ultimate goal is
restoration of peace

2.4 Problems

2.4.1 Civil wars where gvnmts harm their own people

2.4.2 Conflicts between minority groups which feel
wronged by gvnmt

2.4.3 Conflicts which intend to remove in dictator or a gvnmt & replace with democracy

3 Pacifism

3.1 Pacifism is the belief that violent actions are wrong & that only peaceful,
non-violent solutions to disagreement should ever be used. Biblical teachings
suggest that peace is a better way foreward

3.2 "Do not resist the evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn him the other also" - Mathew 5:9

3.3 Quaker Pacifists

3.3.1 Reject all forms of violence

3.3.2 Given dangerous jobs during WW2

3.3.2.1 drove ambulances

3.3.2.2 Stretcher bearers

3.4 Ghandi

3.4.1 Who: Hindu Lawyer

3.4.2 When: Beginning of the 20th century

3.4.3 Why: Campaigning for
independence from Britain in
south Africa & India

3.4.4 E.g Salt March

4 Terrorism

4.1 When groups use violence or the threat
of violence, to achieve their aims, rather
than using a democratic process. The
violence is often indiscriminate to create
fear

4.2 Normally...

4.2.1 Violent

4.2.2 Intended to create fear
through a psychological
impact

4.2.3 Carried out for some ideological or political goal

4.2.4 Targeted at civilians

4.2.5 Disguised

4.3 Causes

4.3.1 Greivance

4.3.2 Political, social & economic inequality

4.3.3 Religious extremists

4.3.4 Ethnic conflict

4.4 Ireland

4.4.1 Nationalists who wanted UK independance and unionists who wanted to stay

4.5 9/11

4.5.1 Attacks on the world trade centre (twin towers) in 2001

4.6 7/7

4.6.1 attack on London transport systems in 2005

4.7 9/11 & 7/7

4.7.1 Both were attacks by radical militant Islamists. They
were the result of radicalisation of young Muslims by
militant Islamist groups. These groups identify
greivances to justify their actions including the Israeli
occupation of Palestine and the war in Iraq

4.8 Qur'an teachings

4.8.1 Sanctity and dignity of human lives. Some Muslims do
not include suicide bombers as part of their religion.
They must also follow the laws of the land

4.9 Christian responses

4.9.1 Reconciliation is prevented

4.9.2 Aggravates problems and tensions

4.9.3 Harm and suffering is caused

5 Nuclear War

5.1 A war in which the participants use nuclear
weapons

5.2 Atom Bombs

5.2.1 Earlier version of nuclear bombs, not as powerful

5.2.2 In 1945 WW2 the USA dropped 2 atom bombs over Japan; first over
Hiroshima and second over Nagasaki.

5.3 The arms race

5.3.1 After WW2, many countries became nuclear powers.
America and Russia competed with each other,
creating more bombs to keep up with each other.
Chrisitians do not agree

5.4 The cold war

5.4.1 A war that almost happened between Russia and the
USA. the only thing that stopped it from happening
was the threat of the nuclear weapons

5.5 Nuclear Proliferation

5.5.1 The increase in countries which have nuclear weapons. The increase in
these weapons means it is more likely they will be used and also more likely
that terrorists could afford them or steal them

5.6 Christian responses

5.6.1 Vast majority disagree

5.6.2 "There is no ethical justification for weapons of mass destruction"

5.6.3 "Do not kill" - Bible

5.6.4 "All life is sacred" - Bible

5.7 Nuclear Disarmament

5.7.1 Since the 1950's a christian charity has been campaigning for nuclear disarmament